The report said: “We are disturbed that a benefit system intended to provide for the needy and vulnerable is used as a means of coercion and compliance.
“The penalties often do not appear reasonable or proportionate to the ‘failure’ that has occurred.
“If a similar system operated in a workplace, where pay was removed for a month for being late for a meeting or not achieving a target, we might reasonably expect action to be taken against the employer.”Might we..? I don’t think so. I think we might see that that company had trouble attracting or retaining employees.
But that’s not an issue that we will ever get with the benefit classes, is it?
Niall Cooper, of Church Action on Poverty, which helped write the report, added: “If you commit a crime, no court is allowed to make you go hungry as a punishment. “But if you’re late for an appointment at the Jobcentre they can remove all your income and leave you unable to feed you or your family for weeks.”So…don’t be late for that appointment. Because it’s not the Job Centre’s job to feed your children.
It’s your job.
You only get sanctioned if you fail to show up multiple times without explanation. No one gets their benefits stopped for a one off. They aren't working so why can't they turn up to an appointment? You'd have to be able to show up on time for a job. What are they doing?
ReplyDeleteUmm... we do have such penalties. Sales people get a low salary and only get the extra amount if they hit their targets.
ReplyDeleteThe very first thing our trainers told us, back when I started on a YTS scheme aged 16 "was if you can't make it in then RING US. Do NOT try and choose between catching the bus or making that call. Get the next bus, even if it's an hour later, but phone us. Everyone can be late or oversleep but NEVER leave us in the dark about whether you are coming in."..actually I think the phrase he used was "don't leave us with our dicks in our hands"..cos he was from Bethnal Green .
ReplyDeleteSame applies to the Job Centre. Mind you, they don't make it easy to inform the local office. You end up having to ring the National Not-So-Helpful-Helpline...unless you were smart enough to ask for the Jobsearch Adviser's direct number...but who thinks ahead like that these days?
One other tip for the unemployed, if you completely miss an appointment (not just late, although this next bit applies to that as well) GO IN PERSON and APOLOGISE for wasting their time. You wouldn't believe the difference a little common courtesy can make to your life on the dole.
How do I know? I have been on benefits now for over a decade as I care for my wife 24/7. I have missed the odd few appointments or been late on occasion and have not only never been sanctioned but have actually had the Adviser ring me after the missed appointment and do the interview down the phone to save me coming in to apologise and make a new appointment.
Smile, say sorry and give a good reason for your tardiness. Doesn't need to be the real reason ie you overslept after a night on the raz but make it a reason that the Adviser is allowed to 'accept'. The adviser knows damn well you where on the Wife Beater all night , she can smell it on your breath, but if you tell her that then she will have NO choice but to sanction you.
/Blocked Dwarfs Tips For A Life On The Dole
" No one gets their benefits stopped for a one off. "
ReplyDeleteWhich is not a fact the left-wing press ever seems to point out...
"Same applies to the Job Centre."
Indeed!